CBP Finds Incendiary Device in Outbound Postal Mail to Japan
U.S. Customs and Border Protection states that officers in Chicago made an interesting discovery in outbound mail of a live Vietnam-era military incendiary device that was being shipped to Japan. CBP officers found the device while examining outbound mail packages. The item was manifested as a “military training dummie” valued at $55 and was being shipped from Missouri to Japan.
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Prior to initiating seizure, CBP officers spoke with the shipper who indicated that the item was acquired from an estate sale and sold on-line. Based on the officer’s experience, the Chicago Police bomb unit was contacted and subsequently determined that the item was a live incendiary device—a phosphorous-based flare M49A1.
(The M49A1 trip flare is an early warning signaling device used to warn of infiltrating troops by illuminating the area surrounding the trip flare. This type of trip flare will provide a light intensity exceeding 35,000 candelas for approximately one minute where it can reach a temperature of almost 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit.)